Miss Universe Albania (also known Miss Albania Organization) is a national Beauty pageant in Albania. The pageant was founded as Miss Albania in 2002, until rebranding as Miss Universe Albania in 2006.
| Formation | 2006 |
|---|---|
| Type | Beauty pageant |
| Headquarters | Tirana |
| Location | |
Membership | |
Official language | Albanian |
Producer | Eduart Dedaj & Labinot G. Sashi |
| Website | www.missuniversealbania.al |
History
The beauty pageants in Albania are run by two different organizers: Vera Grabocka organized the Miss Albania competition in 1991, while Petri Bozo and his Deliart Association organize the Miss Shqiperia election. The finalists take part in the Miss Europe election, and since 2002 also for Miss World and Miss Universe.
Albanian women from Kosovo can also take part in the Miss Albania competition: Venera Mustafa became Miss Kosovo and Miss Albania in 1999. In the same year, she took part in the Miss Europe election for Albania. Agnesa Vuthaj was elected Miss Kosovo in 2003 and Miss Albania in 2004 and was a candidate for Miss World in 2004 and Miss Universe in 2005.
Miss Universe Albania was created in 2002 to determine the participants for the international Miss Universe competition.
Albania debuted at Miss Universe in 2002 with the Miss Albania organization as the official franchise holder. The organization held a national pageant yearly up to 2006. Beginning in 2007, the franchise license was given to the then-official photographer of Miss Universe, Fadil Berisha who happened to be from Albania. At this point, Fadil created the "Miss Universe Albania" organization and would hold occasional yearly national pageant or in some cases, designate a participant to represent Albania at Miss Universe. Fadil would continue to be the national director until 2013.
Since 2005, Enkeleid Omi and his agency Alba-Media have organized the competition for Miss Earth Albania (formerly Miss Shqiptarja), the winners of which take part in Miss Earth. Here too, Albanians from Kosovo have been able to stand for candidacy so far: The 2007 winner, Shpresa Vitia, comes from there
In 2014 Eduart Deda acquired the Miss Universe franchise license in Albania and in Kosovo in 2018. The company would hold yearly national pageants where two winners were crowned to compete at Miss Universe and Miss World until 2017.
National Directors
- Vera Grabocka Flloko (2002–2005)
- Fadil Berisha (2006–2011)
- Eduart Dedaj & Labinot G. Sashi (2012–present)
Titleholders
| Year | Miss Universe Albania | Municipality |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Eralda Hitaj[1] | Tirana |
| 2007 | Sadina Alla[2] | Tirana |
| 2008 | Matilda Mecini[3] | Tirana |
| 2009 | Hasna Xhukiçi[4] | Fier |
| 2010 | Angela Martini[5] | Shkodër |
| 2011 | Xhesika Berberi | Tirana |
| 2012 | Adrola Dushi[6] | Lezhë |
| 2013 | Fioralba Dizdari | Tirana |
| 2014 | Zhaneta Byberi[7] | Tirana |
| 2015 | Megi Luka | Fushë-Krujë |
| 2016 | Lindita Idrizi[8] | Elbasan |
| 2017 | Blerta Leka[9] | Tirana |
| 2018 | Trejsi Sejdini[10] | Elbasan |
| 2019 | Cindy Marina[11] | Shkodër |
| 2020 | Paula Mehmetukaj[12] | Tirana |
| 2021 | Ina Dajci[13] | Tirana |
| 2022 | Deta Kokomani[14] | Durrës |
| 2023 | Endi Demneri | Tirana |
| 2024 | Franceska Rustem | Durrës |
Wins by municipality
| Municipality | Titles | Years |
|---|---|---|
| Tirana | 10 | 2006, 2007, 2008, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2020, 2021, 2023 |
| Durrës | 2 | 2022, 2024 |
| Shkodër | 2010, 2019 | |
| Elbasan | 2016, 2018 | |
| Fushë-Krujë | 1 | 2015 |
| Lezhë | 2012 | |
| Fier | 2009 |
Titleholders under Miss Universe Albania
Miss Universe Albania
- : Ended as one of the finalists or semifinalists
- : Ended as special awards winner
- The main winner of Miss Albania now called Miss Universe Albania represents Albania at Miss Universe pageant. If the main winner cannot fulfill the winners's duties, the runner-up will take over.
| Year | Municipality | Titleholder | Age[a] | Placement | Special awards | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eduart Dedaj directorship — a franchise holder to Miss Universe from 2012 | ||||||
| 2024 | Durrës | Franceska Rustem[15] | 19 | TBA | ||
| 2023 | Tirana | Endi Demneri[16] | 25 | Unplaced | ||
| 2022 | Durrës | Deta Kokomani[14] | 22 | Unplaced | ||
| 2021 | Tirana | Ina Dajci[17] | 27 | Unplaced | ||
| 2020 | Tirana | Paula Mehmetukaj[12] | 23 | Unplaced | ||
| 2019 | Shkodër | Cindy Marina[11] | 21 | Top 20 | Marina is an Albanian American from Temecula, California. Shkodër is her ancestral home. | |
| 2018 | Elbasan | Trejsi Sejdini[10] | 18 | Unplaced | ||
| 2017 | Tirana | Blerta Leka[9] | 19 | Unplaced | ||
| 2016 | Elbasan | Lindita Idrizi[8] | 20 | Unplaced |
|
|
| 2015 | Fushë-Krujë | Megi Luka | 19 | Unplaced | ||
| 2014 | Tirana | Zhaneta Byberi[7] | 19 | Unplaced | ||
| 2013 | Tirana | Fioralba Dizdari[18] | 19 | Did not compete | Bakiu did not compete at Miss Universe 2013 due to being underage and was replaced by Dizdari. But Dizdari did not compete in Miss Universe 2013 after Albania decided to withdraw from the competition, due to the host country, Russia, not allowing Kosovo to compete in the competition.[18] | |
| Kolonjë | Kristina Bakiu | 18 | ||||
| 2012 | Lezhë | Adrola Dushi[6] | 19 | Unplaced | ||
| Fadil Berisha directorship — a franchise holder to Miss Universe between 2006―2011 | ||||||
| 2011 | Tirana | Xhesika Berberi | 20 | Unplaced | ||
| 2010 | Shkodër | Angela Martini[5] | 24 | Top 10 | ||
| 2009 | Fier | Hasna Xhukiçi[4] | 21 | Top 15 | ||
| 2008 | Tirana | Matilda Mecini[3] | 19 | Unplaced |
|
|
| 2007 | Tirana | Sadina Alla[2] | 18 | Unplaced | ||
| 2006 | Tirana | Eralda Hitaj[1] | 19 | Unplaced | ||
| Vera Grabocka Flloko directorship — a franchise holder to Miss Universe between 2002―2005 | ||||||
| 2005 | Istog | Agnesa Vuthaj[19] | 19 | Unplaced | Vuthaj is a Kosovan Albanian, whose hometown is in Kosovo, not Albania. | |
| 2004 | Did not compete | |||||
| 2003 | Peshkopi | Denisa Kola | 20 | Unplaced | ||
| 2002 | Tirana | Anisa Kospiri[20] | 19 | Top 10 | ||
Gallery of winners
-
Angela Martini, Miss Universe Albania 2010 -
Lindita Idrizi, Miss Universe Albania 2016 -
Trejsi Sejdini, Miss Universe Albania 2018 -
Cindy Marina, Miss Universe Albania 2019
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Other titleholders
Miss World Albania
- The Miss Universe Albania took over the Miss World license began in 2012. The Miss World Albania has often been selected by designation process. Sometimes, a runner-up or another candidate from Miss Universe Albania will go to Miss World pageant.
| Year | Miss World Albania | Age[a] | Municipality | Placement | Special awards | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eduart Dedaj directorship — a franchise holder to Miss World from 2013 | ||||||
| 2025 | Elona Ndrecaj | 22 | Krujë | TBA | ||
| Miss World 2023 was rescheduled to 2024 due to the change of host and when entering India as the new host, there were several issues that caused the postponement until March 2024. | ||||||
| 2023 | Elona Ndrecaj[21] | 22 | Krujë | Did not compete | Miss World Albania 2022, Angela Tanuzi did not compete at Miss World. Elona Ndrecaj replaced her as the new Miss World Albania 2023. But Ndrecaj withdrew after that and she allocated to Miss World 2025. | |
| Angela Tanuzi | 20 | Krujë | ||||
| Miss World 2021 was rescheduled to 16 March 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak in Puerto Rico, no edition started in 2022. | ||||||
| 2021 | Amela Agastra[22] | 18 | Tirana | Unplaced |
|
Miss World Albania 2021, Joanna Kiose did not compete at Miss World. Amela Agastra replaced her as the new Miss World Albania 2021. |
| Joanna Kiose | 24 | Berat | Did not compete | |||
| Due to the impact of COVID-19 pandemic, no competition held in 2020 | ||||||
| 2019 | Atalanta Kërçyku | 20 | Tirana | Unplaced | ||
| 2018 | Nikita Preka | 22 | Lezhë | Unplaced | ||
| 2017 | Joana Grabolli[23] | 20 | Fier | Unplaced | ||
| 2016 | Ëndrra Kovaçi[24] | 21 | Tirana | Unplaced | ||
| 2015 | Kristina Bakiu[25] | 20 | Kolonjë | Unplaced | Kristina Bakiu was designated as Miss World Albania 2015 by the local franchisor as a replacement for Daniela Pajaziti.[25] She won Miss Universe Albania 2013 but she was unable to compete at Miss Universe 2013 in Russia. | |
| Daniela Pajaziti | 18 | Durrës | Did not compete | |||
| 2014 | Xhensila Pere | 25 | Korçë | Unplaced | ||
| 2013 | Ersela Kurti | 22 | Tirana | Unplaced | Ersela Kurti won Miss World Albania in 2012. She allocated to Miss World 2013 in Indonesia. | |
Miss Grand Albania
- Began in 2022 Miss Universe Albania took the Miss Grand International franchise.
| Year | Miss Grand Albania | Age[a] | Municipality | Placement | Special awards | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Elsa Alijaj | 23 | Laç | TBA | Elsa Alijaj was designated as Miss Grand Albania 2024 by the local franchisor. She was a finalist of Miss Universe Albania & Kosovo 2024 | |
| 2023 | Angela Tanuzi[26] | 20 | Krujë | Unplaced | Angela Tanuzi was designated as Miss Grand Albania 2023 by the local franchisor. She won Miss World Albania 2022 but she was replaced by a new Miss World Albania. | |
Past titles under Miss Universe Albania
Miss Earth Albania
- Began in 2021 Miss Universe Albania took the Miss Earth franchise and the third winner or 2nd Runner-up will be representing Albania at Miss Earth. Began 2023 the license of Miss Earth had moved on Miss Shqiperia.
| Year | Titleholder | Age[a] | Municipality | Placement | Special awards | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Rigelsa Cybi[27] | 25 | Tirana | Unplaced | ||
| 2021 | Ornella Karruku | 23 | Tirana | Did not compete | ||
Notes
See also
References
- ^ a b "Eralda Hitaj". Miss Universe. 1 July 2006. Archived from the original on 1 July 2006. Retrieved 3 March 2011.
- ^ a b "Albania". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. 3 May 2007. Retrieved 19 July 2022.
- ^ a b "Beauties will attend Miss Universe 2008". xaluan.com. 7 April 2008. Retrieved 3 March 2011.
- ^ a b "Miss Universe bikini photos". Toronto Sun. 5 August 2009. Retrieved 3 March 2011.
- ^ a b "Is Angela as beautiful as Linda?". 20 Minuten. 19 July 2010. Retrieved 3 March 2011.
- ^ a b "Ja kush janë Miss dhe Mister Albania 2012". Shqip Media (in Albanian). 3 November 2012. Archived from the original on 2 December 2013. Retrieved 9 December 2012.
- ^ a b "Zhaneta Byberi shpallet Miss Universe Albania". TV Klan (in Albanian). 9 October 2014. Retrieved 19 May 2022.
- ^ a b "Lindita Idrizi crowned Miss Universe Albania 2016". The Times of India. 3 June 2016. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
- ^ a b "Blerta Leka crowned Miss Universe Albania 2017". The Times of India. 30 June 2017. Retrieved 18 January 2022.
- ^ a b "Trejsi Sejdini crowned Miss Universe Albania 2018". The Times of India. 8 June 2018. Retrieved 14 January 2022.
- ^ a b "Cindy Marina crowned Miss Universe Albania 2019". The Times of India. 8 June 2019. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
- ^ a b "Fitoi "Miss Universe Albania", 22-vjeçarja flet për herë të parë te Rudina". TV Klan (in Albanian). 22 September 2020.
- ^ "Ina Dajçi zgjedhet Miss Universe Albania 2021". Klan Kosova (in Albanian). 10 July 2021. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
- ^ a b "Zgjedhet Miss Universe Albania 2022". Klan Kosova (in Albanian). 10 June 2022. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
- ^ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 9 June 2024.
- ^ "Endi Demneri vajza më e bukur shqiptare; Miss Universe Albania & Kosova dhuron emocione të forta" (in Albanian). Vizion Plus. 2 June 2023. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
- ^ "Ina Dajçi zgjedhet Miss Universe Albania 2021". Klan Kosova (in Albanian). 10 July 2021. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
- ^ a b Thakur, Ambika (9 November 2013). "Miss Universe 2013 Not Only Continues Despite Controversies, But Thrives". International Business Times Australia. Retrieved 9 June 2022.
- ^ "Agnesa Vuthaj zbulon se pse argjentinasja fitoi 'Miss Universe Kosova' (Video)". Telegrafi (in Albanian). 19 September 2016. Retrieved 2 November 2022.
- ^ "Russian beauty is Miss Universe". The Tribune. Associated Press. 31 May 2002. Retrieved 2 March 2011.
- ^ "Kjo është Marilyn Monroe nga Kosova që u zgjodh Miss World Albania – I përngjanë nga flokët e deri të këpucë" [This is Marilyn Monroe from Kosovo who was chosen as Miss World Albania - I look alike from her hair to her shoes]. Bota Sot (in Albanian). 1 May 2023. Archived from the original on 16 May 2023. Retrieved 6 July 2023.
- ^ Trang, Quỳnh (8 November 2022). "Amela Agastra paves the path to her music career". Harper's Bazaar Việt Nam (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 18 July 2023.
- ^ "Joana Grabolli crowned Miss World Albania 2017". The Times of India. 30 June 2017. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
- ^ "Endrra Kovaci is Miss World Albania 2016". The Times of India. 3 June 2016. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
- ^ a b "Shqipëria me përfaqësuese të re në "Miss World" (Foto)" [Albania with a new representative in "Miss World" (Photo)]. Telegrafi (in Albanian). 24 November 2015. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
- ^ Muhammad Ayub Rifai (2 September 2023). "8 Potret Finalis Miss Grand International 2023 dari Eropa, Stunning!" [8 Portraits of Miss Grand International 2023 Finalists from Europe, Stunning!] (in Indonesian). IDN Times. Retrieved 3 September 2023.
- ^ "Nhan sắc nóng bỏng tựa 'thiên thần nội y' của tân Hoa hậu Trái đất Albania 2022". Tiền Phong (in Vietnamese). 15 June 2022. Retrieved 20 June 2022.